I own two of these lights. While I've had luck so far with one of them, the other frustrates me to no end. I bought them both around the same time about a year ago and have been generally happy with them up until about a month ago when one would turn off on its own erratically during my commute. At first I thought it was just losing its charge and dying, no big deal. A couple charge cycles later and it would happen again - off in the middle of my ride, I'd turn it back on and it would turn off again within a minute. At this point the charge indicator would be red, and stay red, even after a charge. And it would keep working for a few minutes then turn off as above, repeatedly. It seemed to be a wiring issue afters I had discovered that when it was jarred it would turn off, it'd turn back on but if you shook it or tapped the top it would turn off. It will take a charge and will stay on for a couple hours easily, but the indicator will stay red regardless of how recently you charge it. Some internet snooping has led me to the conclusion that it's a wiring issue as others have described having the same symptoms, and have sacrificed their $30 to open the faulty light to find loose, broken soldering. Mystery solved, but dealing with customer service hasn't been easy. If you get a good unit, you'll be plenty happy with it. If you're not so lucky, I'd find another unit and chalk it up to experience...

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Unhappy bloke
a Cross Country Rider

Date Reviewed: November 13, 2013

Strengths: A nice compact little bike light.

Weaknesses: I have had the light for 10 months or so now and it stopped charging this week. The charging indicator is in the red at the moment, so when the little bit of oomph left is gone I will have to throw it away. Never saw this coming ...

Bottom Line:

DONT BUY THIS light if you don't want to buy another one in a years time. There is cheaper stuff that will last longer.

I like the Blackburn Fleas and own about 6 of them, both front and rear. I own the USB version. Mine are quite finicky when it comes to charging and occasionally they just won't take a charge from the USB connector.

The real problem is with the mounting straps, which are velcro and short-lived. Calling Blackburn customer service will get you a referral to Weber Sports. I purchased my over-priced replacement straps from Weber Sports two months ago and am still waiting for them. They never contacted me to tell me the straps are on backorder (I had to contact them). I finally disputed the transaction and will start shopping for lights from another maker.

Strengths: Damn bright! So small it's not very noticeable (stealable). Rechargeable battery lasts a couple of hours in steady mode.

Weaknesses: Have to take the strap off to charge it.

Bottom Line:

It's a be-seen light that's bright enough to see with. You can ride with the Flea as a headlight if you don't have your "real" light. It can be seen reflecting on road signs three blocks away at dusk. In flash mode, I've been mistaken for an emergency vehicle! I might just get another for the wig-wag effect, or to leave one steady-on.

Strengths: Light, simple to use, simple on/off switch, attachment strap, versatile - also walking up to 2-3 hrs, easy for kids to carry it on themselves, wide bright beam for 8m ish, great product with simple recharge units = solar + USB unit = small size/light, top marks as a back-up light for those involved in serious weekend activities, use in tandem with a spotlight beam. Or use two Fleas.

Weaknesses: Light duration + velcro strap = not suitable for a really hard rider, but then those users should be using light units that are in the most expensive category!, suitable for the weekend rider either off road or city.

Bottom Line:

Buy two lights, make sure one light comes with a solar/USB recharge unit (avoid buying solar unit separately as more expensive), 1 on helmet (flashing to be seen in urban, use full beam for added light in country) and 1 on handle bars (for light). Good value, innovative and easy to use!

Strengths: Lightweight, easy to charge, decent battery life for such a little light, Blackburn has a good warranty program.

Weaknesses: It is a bit of a pain to charge the light because I am afraid of frying it.

Bottom Line:

This is a very impressive light. I originally bought one to backup my Trailrat because the halogen is a bit crappy on the battery life. The one day I needed to use it as a backup I was so impressed that I bought another one on sale at performance use one on the handlebar and one on my helmet and I can ride all night and see pretty much everything in my path. on the road it's pretty good and works surprisingly well off road. Get one for a backup for sure.

Weaknesses: Not for aggressive riders. comes off easily. I ride in the city. I go fast to make it on time for school. When going on rough terrain the light would come loose. I'm the type of rider who pedals fast, go off sidewalks, rock crawler type. The way the light clamps to the bars is with velcro. Velcro!. The velcro would not tighten good enough around the handle bar. I would have to secure it around the handlebar grip because it was thicker and the velcro would not be loose as opposed to the smaller handlebar diameter. I even put pieces of inner tube so the velcro would become tighter but the velcro would still come loose. Limited places where I could strap the light to the bike. One day I came home looked for the light, it wasn't there. I was deeply disappointed because I commute to school in the evenings and depend on the light. I don't like being stopped by the cops and tell me you can buy a 5 dollar light etc, etc. If Blackburn would just supply the plastic clamp for the handlebar like ViewPoint lights and have the light snap in and out that would be a better clamping system IMHO. One of the LEDs was weaker than the other even when it was new right off the box.

Bottom Line:

Not worth the buy if the light is going to come off because of aggressive riding. Only people cruising should get this light. If you're throwing down tricks at night this light will come loose.

Weaknesses: may be the mount system, may be if I was forced to pick a flaw.

Bottom Line:

this is the greatest little back up light, I bought the combo with the tail lamp that I use for running. as a commuter light i'm sure it works great. as a back up light that has no weight, but its there if you can't remember how much time you have on your big lights. it will get you back to the car, you don't have to worry, about being in the total dark, it is bright enough to ride a trail in a crisis. just having that on my handle bar all winter made me feel so relaxed about being in the dark. for $20.00 I can't say brag about it enough for a $50.00 combo I still think its one of my best bike purches EVER. 5 chilis arent enough